Twitterpated Layout

Here is a layout using CTMH's new Twitterpated and Workshop on the Go Kit! I whipped this one together last night for an open house display. I love how these kits make it so easy to pull a layout or two together! I altered it slightly from the directions to suite my tastes - Love that flexibility!

Thanks for looking!
ETA: For: JJFern First of all, let me start by saying "Thank You" for your comment. In answer to your question, I use layout sketches mostly for inspiration. I try to only look at the base of the sketch (what's behind the picture spots). Then, I sort through the pictures I plan to use (chosen by the colors of the photos that would go with the papers I'm using or vice versa)by the ones I must use, the ones I could use and the ones I'll use only if I have to. I focus on the ones I must use. I always do a dry run first - meaning I lay it out before I adhere anything. This helps me determine how I arrange my cardstock and patterned paper to get the right look, and how I can lay out the photos. If I have some "dead" spaces that I can't fill with a journal or embellishments, then I move to the pictures I could use to fill the space. Hope that helps!

CTMH Open House

Hi all! Today I am having a Close To My Heart New Catalog Open House. I always have two cards for a make-n-take, and this is what the girls are making this time. I used the papers and stamp sets from the Twitterpated and Jingle Workshops-on-the-Go. It's a busy day here, so that's all I have. Thanks for looking!

Moxie Fab Holiday Stamping

Moxie Fab World has 5 different Holiday challenges going on right now. This is a card I made for the stamping challenge. Didn't have a lot of time, so it's not perfect (may even fix it later). I love stamping - I think this is where I get to use the most creativity! Thanks for looking!

Invitations

So, this is what has been keeping me busy the last couple of days. My cousin, Beth, asked me to make 40 Bridal shower invites for her. She sent me a swatch of the fabric of the girls' dresses and asked me to use "peacock" colors. This is what I came up with. It's a pocket card, so all I really had to make and assemble is the pocket part. I printed the inside card on my computer. (I changed the name for the picture to protect the bride - since I didn't have her consent to use her name).

I used the Spellbinder's Nestabilities flower dies and Cuttlebugs Leaf and Swiss Dot embossing folder to create the flower accent. Bazill had the perfect color cardstock and PTI's Text Style stamp was the perfect accent on this pocket. I'll hopefully be back with regular posts soon. I'll be finished with them tomorrow. Thanks for looking!

Clean and Graphic

So sorry it's been so long since I've posted. I promised myself that if I started a blog, I would update frequently (because those are the types of blogs I like to visit). Life got away from me. I was hoping to finish posting my apron inspirations before I left for camping, but that didn't happen. Hopefully a future post. Anyhow, I browsed my favorite inspiration blogs when I got back from camping and found a challenge on Moxie Fab World for clean and graphic holiday cards. I knew this would be a snap to complete, so here it is!

It would be almost foolish to explain the process I went through to create this super easy and quick card, so I'll just list the specs. Thanks for looking!

P.S. I have been busy fulfilling an order for 40 bridal shower invites. I'll post one tomorrow so you can see what has been keeping me so busy. Thanks for your patience!

Supplies:

All supplies from CTMH, unless noted

Stamps: Evergreen

Cardstock: White Daisy, PTI Kraft

Patterned Paper: Jingle stripe

Inks: Olive, Desert Sand

Other: Sewing machine, Foam tape

Day 3 - Apron Inspiration

There were so many inspirational elements to this apron that I made 2 cards. This first one is based on the top part of the apron.

And, this next one is based on the skirt of the apron. I didn't use that cute layered flower at the top of the apron in any of my cards today, but it sure would make another great card! I stamped a small flower image with Clear ink and heat embossed with Clear powder to give it that eyelet lace look. It's hard to see, but looks so fun in person!

Thanks for looking!

Here are the specs:

All supplies CTMH unless noted

Stamps: Argyle backgrounds and Solo 4 (small flower), PTI Mega Mixed Messages

Cardstock: White Daisy, Tulip

Patterned Paper: Black Gingham (retired)

Inks: Clear, Tulip, Black

Accessories: White Daisy Crocheted Flowers, Buttons (unknown), Scrapper's Floss

Tools: Fiskars Scalloped Edge Punch, Marvy ric-rac scissors

Day 2 - Apron Inspiration

So, here is the inspiration for my next card. Isn't that a cute one? Love the detail along the bottom of the skirt and couldn't wait to try that out on this card!

I used a strip of the Twilight paper from the Emporium Creative Basics Kit. I pleat-folded the strip into 1/2" and 1" increments. (A 12" strip will fold into 4" this way, so my card size is 4 x 5.5). I sewed the strip right down the middle to "adhere" it to the card. I randomed stamped the floral pattern using Twilight and Sweet Leaf. Finishing the card off, I stamped the sentiment from PTI's Heartfelt Basics - great sentiments for many occasions, and added some buttons and ribbon for interest.

Here are the specs:

Stamps: CTMH Rose Splendor (retired), PTI Heartfelt Basics

Cardstock: CTMH Twilight, White Daisy

Patterned Paper: CTMH Emporium Creative Basics

Inks: CTMH Twilight, Sweet Leaf

Accessories: CTMH Craft Buttons (Winter), Offray White Grograin Ribbon, Embroidery Floss

Tools: Marvy Oval and Scalloped oval punch

More Apron Inspiration

Awhile back I had a post called Apron Inspiration where I made 2 cards based on an apron I saw while shopping at Pier 1 Imports. I had so much fun with it! I love aprons, and they are really trendy right now. I was blog lurking last week and ran across the Moxie Fab World, and saw this post about Aprons. I was so inspired! I thought it would be fun to devote an entire week of Apron inspired cards.

Here is the first one based on the apron above from Anthropologie (my favorite store for inspiration!) Isn't it fun? You'll notice yesterdays post was also made based on this apron inspiration.

Here are the specs:

Stamps: CTMH Rose Splendor (retired), Boutique Borders, PTI Everyday Buttons, Polka Dot Basics

Cardstock: CTMH White Daisy, Tulip, Sorbet

Inks: CTMH Clear, White Daisy, Tulip

Other: White embossing powder

Tools: EK Success Edge punch, Marvy scalloped square punch, sewing machine

Wishing You a Wonderful Day

Just a quick post today. I have more goodies coming this week! Get Sketchy has their first sketch challenge this week, so decided to participate. I kept it pretty simple, and changed up the curvy line a bit on the card because I wanted to use my new EK Success Edge punch. So fun! Thanks for looking!

Here are the specs:

Stamps: PTI Polka Dot Basics II, CTMH Best of Times and TLC

Cardstock: CTMH Colonial White, Tulip and Sorbet

Inks: CTMH Colonial White, Tulip, Sorbet and Sweet Leaf

Celebrate Eight

It's Chad's birthday on Monday, and he'll be turning 9. Like I posted previously I make a layout to celebrate each kids past year to hang on their hallway wall for about a month. This is his "Celebrate Eight" page that will eventually end up in my family album.

I used the Got Sketch #40, again, for this layout. It's a fun one so I'll use it for my oldest sons layout, as well. Thanks for looking!

All supplies from CTMH

Card Patterns Challenge

Ran across the challenge at Card Patterns, and I needed a card for my cousin who just had a baby girl, so I thought I'd participate in the challenge, too.

I had leftover material, so made another (no sketch for this one) to have as backup.

Here are the specs:

Stamps: PTI Polka Dot Basics and Mega Mixed Messages

Patterned Paper: Imaginisce

Cardstock: PTI Kraft, CTMH Colonial White and Sweet Leaf

Inks: CTMH Desert Sand and Colonial White

Accessories: Making Memories Ribbon and Velvet Flower Brads, Me & My Big Ideas sparkles

Just a Note

Playing again in the Rasberry Suite Color Challenge. Got the PTI Text Style Background set today and wanted to try it out. I made the notebook paper by punching the edge with the EK Success edge punch, drawing two CTMH Watermelon lines, and stamping with Journaling Jots in Petal Ink. "Just a note" was stamped in Vineyard Berry using CTMH's Tiny Typewriter Alphabet.

Here are the specs:

Stamps: PTI Backgrounds - Text Style, Polka Dot Basics II, CTMH Journaling Jots, Tiny Typewriter Alphabet and Intrinsic Backgrounds

Cardstock: CTMH Watermelon, Petal, Colonial White

Inks: CTMH Vineyard Berry and Smokey Plum

Accessories: Colonial White Button, Scarlet Embroidery Floss

Rasberry Suite Color Challenge

This is my 4th attempt at Dawn McVey's Color Challenge.

I was tempted not to participate this time because I have never been a fan of pink and purple together. However, I reminded myself that it was a CHALLENGE, so I pushed myself out of my stubborness and ended up being rewarded. I am happy with the result! Even though I have still not been persuaded to think that pink and purple is a good combination, I found much satisfaction in meeting the challenge. What I learned: Don't limit yourself! Thanks, Dawn!

Here are the specs:

All supplies from CTMH, unless noted.

Stamps: Intrinsic Backgrounds, Argyle Backgrounds and September Word Puzzle (inside reads: and the whole world smiles with you)

Cardstock: Petal, Watermelon, Colonial White

Inks: Vineyard Berry, Smokey Plum

Accessories: Sparkles and Ivory Satin Ribbon (unknown source)

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Happy (early) Birthday, Dad! We are celebrating my Dad's birthday tonight, so made this masculine card using this week's CPS sketch.

(His birthday isn't until middle of next week, but my parents are leaving for an Alaskan cruise tomorrow. Rough life, huh? Doesn't retirement look like bliss?) Anyhow, masculine cards are always a challenge for me, and to be honest, not as much fun. But, I was pleased with how it turned out. My dad is an avid golfer, so he will totally dig this! I thought the sentiment, "a good life", was a perfect fit for the image, as well as my dad's life. I used the sentiment from Classmate Alphabet, "life is good", and inked up only the word I needed. I found an "a" from another phrase. Love the versatility of clear stamps!!!

Here are the specs:

All supplies from CTMH, unless noted.

Stamps: Golfers (retired - old woodie!), Simple Stitches, Classmate Alphabet

Cardstock: Textured Chocolate, PTI Kraft

Patterned Paper: Plaid from Twitterpated

Inks: Desert Sand, Chocolate

Accessories: Twill Ribbon, Hemp, Buttons (unknown source)

For A Gracious Hostess

Heading out to a new friend's house for dinner. I made a quick hostess gift for her (when I say quick, I'm talking 15 minutes tops!). Papertrey Ink made it so easy for me to whip this little goodie together. I used their clear top nugget tins and Limitless labels stamp set to pull it together. For the tag I used the sentiment from the Mega Mixed Messages set - super versatile set - LOVE it!! I also put a strip of the new paper from CTMH's Twitterpated Kit.

Well, that's all I have time for today. Thanks for looking!

CPS Challenge

It's been a little crazy around here with the CTMH Convention, and now VBS at my church this week - whew! I decided to try to participate in my first, ever, CPS Sketch Challenge! I also challenged myself to use some of the new product coming out in the Close To My Heart Fall/Winter Catalog. Since I don't have much to work with (yet), I went with the old stand-by "Cupcake Sprinkles".

Here are the specs:

Stamps: CTMH Cupcake Sprinkles, PTI Everyday Buttons

Printed Paper: CTMH Jingle and Grace

Cardstock: CTMH White Daisy

Inks: CTMH Creme Brulee, Blush, Tulip

Accessories: CTMH Sparkles